Kate Nash vs Brexit: What Really Happened to British Musicians After 2020 - Video

Platinum-selling artist Kate Nash (@TheKatemn) appeared before the UK Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee this morning alongside Naomi Pohl (Musicians' Union General Secretary) and Hanna Madalska-Gayer (Association of British Orchestras) to testify about post-Brexit touring barriers.

The data: 75% of musicians who worked in the EU pre-2020 have seen bookings collapse. 59% say European touring is now financially unviable. This is evidence the government needs to negotiate solutions.
Half an hour of testimony that shows why music is upstream from politics.

You can watch this full session here: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26155/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Why This Testimony Matters
00:11 How EU Touring Builds Artists' Careers
01:15 The Economic Reality: What Musicians Actually Earn
02:07 "I Can't Afford to Tour Anymore" - Financial Breakdown
04:11 Brexit's Impact: The 75% Collapse in EU Work
06:37 Spotify, Streaming & Why Musicians Need Live Income
10:00 Visa Hell: The Red Tape Killing UK Touring
11:26 It's Not Just Artists - Crew & Support Staff Lost Work Too
16:40 Who's Responsible? Major Labels, Spotify & Industry Power
17:58 What Government Can Actually Do About This
32:18 Final Call to Action

KEY FINDINGS - MUSICIANS' UNION 2024 SURVEY:

75% of musicians who previously worked in EU: bookings declined
59% say EU touring no longer financially viable
22% lost 75%+ of their EU work entirely
£300-£2,000 ATA Carnet costs per application
41% now hire equipment within EU to avoid carnet requirements

WHY THIS MATTERS:
The UK music industry contributes £10+ billion annually. Post-Brexit visa requirements, carnet complications, and cabotage limits have created impossible bureaucratic barriers - not just for Kate Nash, but for emerging artists who depend on EU touring to build sustainable careers.

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SOURCES: Musicians' Union 2024 Survey | Best for Britain 2025 Study | DCMS Committee State of Play Inquiry

#brexit #MusiciansUnion #KateNash #UKMusicIndustry